Desi Arnaz Sits Down with Bob Hope and Don Rickles | Carson Tonight Show

Original Airdate: 03/04/1976
#johnnycarson #desiarnaz #donrickles

[@meijer78]

All that talent on the couch at the same time. Ed, Blake, Rickles, Hope, Desi and Carson. Incredible.

[@deserthound2605]

Amazing. This wouldn’t be possible today, no matter what combination of entertainers someone assembled.

[@redeastwood4850]

This may sound dumb, but I'll ask anyway... who was Blake, the guy next to Rickles. I knew who everyone was but him.

[@robertvance1873]

@@redeastwood4850 Robert Blake he had his own Detective Show called Baretta in the 70's he had a Cockatoo Bird named Fred.

[@larrysmith6797]

@@robertvance1873 He was famous way before Baretta.

[@robertvance1873]

@@larrysmith6797 I know that, but the guy didn't know Who he was and I was trying to help him.

[@ckhenson]

The starpower on that stage. Nothing today compares.

[@UnavezParatodaLavida]

Yes 👍🏻 that’s right

[@jubalcalif9100]

How right you are! A LOT of terrific talent on that stage that night!

[@MicheleMJJ]

Desi is a definite class act. I love hearing him talk, he hasn't lost a bit of his accent! Nobody could have played "Ricky Ricardo" better than Desi.

[@Cinnam0nr0ll]

I love how he completely ignored Johnny Carson's "Spanish accent" question. 😂😂😂

[@madero-jb5ri]

As a Spanish speaker, I noticed some Spanish in his speech, but he quickly switched to English.

[@Cinnam0nr0ll]

​@madero-jb5ri Yes, he was born in Cuba so when he spoke English he had an accent.

[@madero-jb5ri]

@@Cinnam0nr0ll no sheet sherlock.

[@madero-jb5ri]

@@Cinnam0nr0ll no way

[@bobthebear1246]

Desi Arnaz was _naturally_ funny. And it is so incredibly sweet of him the way he talked about Lucy. You can clearly see that he still loved her. It's beautiful to watch this. ❤️

[@LJ-ht4zs]

Really makes me sad to think that they loved each other but could not live together. Although Desi had wonderful qualities he was an addict: sex, booze, and gambling. Happy for both of them that they found new partners whom they loved. However Desi had those addictions which carried on after his divorce and remarriage.

[@Stevie-hn7mp]

Desi smoking cigar boy people would flip out today if one lit one lol

[@akritas1453]

When he said the success was 90% due to Lucy, he was being honest. She was a force! Beautiful, intelligent, visionary, funny, great business sense. Lucy is the one who backed Star Trek when nobody else would!

[@LJ-ht4zs]

@@Stevie-hn7mp George Burns smoke several cigars every day for decades till he died at age 100.

[@nandofigueira2005]

Lucy called Desi shortly before he died, she told him I love you and Desi told Lucy I love you too, those were Desi's last words before passing away, it was a very moving moment said by their daughter Lucie.

[@Niles-Guy]

Desi carried so much respect that even Don Rickles stayed quiet

[@margerykirner5604]

Don Rickles is killing himself laughing at Arnaz.

[@Eddie_Schantz]

@@margerykirner5604 This is one Carson show that they did not need Rickles.

[@margerykirner5604]

@@Eddie_Schantz yes Agreed

[@hypolyxa7207]

@@Eddie_Schantz Meh, bs. His segment was great before Bob and Desi came on .:)

[@MS-wb5mf]

That's because Bob Hope was the biggest deal ever and he was great friends with Lucy, Rickles was out gunned.

[@genataylor460]

Who in the world, who is old enough, did not grow up watching I Love Lucy. Just one of the most hysterically hilarious shows ever.

[@BeverlyNelson-pb9wf]

I liked the one her and Viv made homemade bread

[@Hollandsemum2]

I didn't. My father hated it and I hated her constantly getting in trouble & castigated for it.

[@Oppenheimer1968]

Loved how she always designed crazy-a88 plans to get something back she lost or some issue she caused- poor Viv always had to take part in her "clearly thought-out plans".

[@ReneeBraxton]

My favorite show of shows.

[@jubalcalif9100]

It was no "My Mother the Car", but "I Love Lucy" was indeed quite a droll series.

[@Juliana65]

I miss these guys.... I miss these years..... loved the 70's.

[@BadCompany214]

I agree with you on all 100%!

[@Lake1920]

Terrible clothing, though!! 😂

[@OrdoSanctiBenedictus]

Having Cuban heritage this brings a tear to my eye to see these megastars awe and respect of Desi.RIP to all these legends.

[@drivesideways6550]

Humble guy who always gave incredible respect to Lucy's talent, and knew the reason for his success. All superstars on that set, we don't have that kind of talent these days, but I'm glad I got to experience some of it as a kid in the 70's, and 80's.

[@John-gh3tc]

Oh we have talent these days. Different era. More humble. Had more respect back then.

[@reason5591]

He was a lazy drunk that took advantage of Lucy. It is well known, even years after they divorced she disclosed that she was used and abused by Desi. Really sad, she was a genuine genius.

[@irisortiz4420]

@@reason5591 You wrong was not like that

[@Frank00]

@@reason5591 Lucy was the talent and Desi was the business. He gave her credit and she gave him his credit. All the rest what you said made you sound like a mad high school girl.

[@TheDoctor1225]

@@reason5591 Yes, because everyone knows that no ex ever says anything bad about their former spouse. Consider the fact that any time he spoke of Lucy, he spoke of her in glowing, complimentary terms. Her? She put him down and slammed him at every opportunity, having 3 years to do it after he was dead and couldn't say anything to refute her. However "true" what she claimed may have been, class was not one of her strong points in that regard. She came across as a stereotypical angry, bitter divorcee.

[@lillianlopez2691]

Desi was SOOO GREAT!!! As we're ALL the mega stars on Johnny's show. There was NEVER a better late show host as MAGNIFICENT as Johnny Carson 🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩

[@philrisser6853]

bar none forsure

[@graceannemorgan1035]

I agree God bless Johnny and everyone.

[@bettycogswell9851]

Amen to that. I still miss him.

[@MrD5914]

Man Carson, Desi, Hope, Blake, and Rickles all together at the same time...it's like The Avengers of Hollywood legends.

[@charlie-obrien]

Great comparison... and Robert Blake is their Hawkeye Lol

[@1965Flipp]

This really drives it home for me that I grew up during a wonderful time. I miss them all very much.

[@richardl4562]

I miss the Tonight Show, there will never be another Johnny Carson and Legendary Actors and Comedians. Nothing compares.

[@JustAFlyover]

Amazing interview. Amazing talent on the couch. Johnny Carson was the best ever. No one will ever top him.

[@jefsiv]

Even though he wore a bedazzled coat & neck scarf.

[@MatthewC137]

@@jefsiv I'd be willing to bet that he wore that for a skit in which he played Liberace. He did a lot of stuff not just interviews. Modern midwits would try to cancel him for this: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oKqXm3SLequlgck&ab_channel=JohnnyCarson

[@MatthewC137]

@@jefsiv This too: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qXvdZKOtobholck&ab_channel=JohnnyCarson

[@christisking7778]

​@@jefsivit's extremely weird, the whole show

[@bettycogswell9851]

The Johnny Carson show was all class...I still miss him.

[@drumlover1687]

Carson was, and will always be the greatest of all time! In my humble opinion.

[@OurSocietyMustChange]

Ya, the morons we got now can't touch Johnny Carson and the proffesionallism he exuded. Not political at all, just pure joy

[@Stevie-hn7mp]

Watch his last episode it was so good showed clips of all the legends on his show during his time running the night show . Made me cry so good

[@JAY-wb2fv]

An excellent interview with Desi Arnaz, and a wonderful glimpse into these golden years of television. One can see how Desi was a brilliant force in this insular Hollywood television club.

[@jubalcalif9100]

Well said and well put !

[@westfield90]

I miss all of them talented people.

[@gammadan1228]

It was said by Lucy Arnaz that her dad was the life of the party. Funny, warm and entertaining

[@LJ-ht4zs]

Unfortunately they life of the party was an addict: sex, booze and gambling - before he married, during his marriage, and after wards. His 2nd wife almost divorced him too.

[@LJ-ht4zs]

Actually when he got drunk, which was frequent, he was explosive both on the set and a home.

[@kaypeany5141]

Lucie

[@mykoniichistorychannel]

@@LJ-ht4zsWere you there?

[@jubalcalif9100]

He did indeed like to have a good time. But reportedly he often didn't handle alcohol very well, which was said about Johnny Carson too. I once worked with a fella whose dad was a security guard at a Lake Tahoe hotel/casino. He told me his dad had to once punch a drunken Desi up there when Desi got made about something & came after him.

[@karenleemallonee684]

We are so blessed that there was a man called Desi Arnaz, wonderful, brilliant, talented & handsome man! 🌼

[@rogueldr642smiythe9]

Still better entertainment than ANY of what is called late night these days.

[@timirish2563]

Indeed! This was TV worth staying up for. Nothing today comes close.

[@Oppenheimer1968]

@@timirish2563 All about the integrity and respect the ole skool displayed for eachother.

[@yjkhjghftf]

Agreed. The bar for talent seems to be set pretty low these days. And it's NOT the fault of the performers. Today, they have to be on the right "team". And they have be willing to compromise every ounce of integrity for the greater "cause".

[@JohnMichaelGunner]

ONLY GOOD THING about Late Night TV now is their ONE COMMON THREAD: THEIR UTTER DISDAIN for Donald 'ORANGE AID' Trump!

[@jeffdo9195]

@@Oppenheimer1968* old school

[@raywilliams6532]

I believe this is from 76. Listen to Desi breathe. He lived another 10 years before he died of lung cancer. Underrated performer. Simply never got the acknowledgement he deserved

[@timirish2563]

Yes, Desi was a brilliant businessman in the still-new territory of network TV. Eventually, he was so on the top he grew bored without the fire of his younger days. Lucille (through no fault of her own) got all the attention and credit. So the heavy drinking began. His staff started scheduling his meetings earlier and earlier in the day because Anaz was far gone after lunchtime. He was glad to sell his part of the company to his now ex Lucille. When you see him here, so well-tailored, so funny, so on top of everything, I feel perhaps he made the right choice. Desi Jr. got his father to stop drinking more than a year before Desi Sr.'s death. He still smoked countless cigars each day and that is what got him.

[@madhurimachatterjee5787]

And he still has a cigar in his hand

[@susanwest8239]

Thank you. I could tell he had a hard time breathing. Love Medic.

[@SuiGenerisAbbie]

Poor darling Desi was GASPING for breath.

[@michaelpbird]

Lucy didn't make it easy for him....her resentments toward him was relentless...yet he loved her till the day he died

[@tonybells131]

Desi and Lucy ! All the stars of those days were the best talents ever ! Singers,comedians ,actors ! All stars All of them .

[@jillkjv3816]

Yup. They're all crap today.

[@KhaladFaraday]

If it weren't for Desilu we wouldn't have Star Trek...

[@LJ-ht4zs]

@@KhaladFaraday when Lucy was the head of Desilu after she had to buy Desi out - she green-lit StarTrek and Mission Impossible. StarTrek was too expensive and I don't remember why they turned down Mission Impossible. Lucy had to buy Desi out, because of his drinking, he was making bad decisions and the studio was losing money. Lucy sold it several years later for 17 million.

[@devilsephiroth9000]

Desi, Johnny, Bob & Don all on the same stage. 4 Legends in the same room is phenomenal. We will never get this level of talent again, much less in the same room together 😢

[@robertgsmith5761]

These Carson shows are the Golden Age if something !

[@GlenStace]

John is nothing but class. He let Desi talk and he just listened

[@ultrakool]

right. now we have Fallon fawning, gushing and fake laughing us all into nausea

[@nkovi7424]

@@ultrakool nobody compares to Johnny. No one should even try.

[@kenwalker9937]

Johnny was smart that way.

[@TigerzLionzPistonzWingz]

I read your post before I watched the video. I STILL kept expecting him to be interrupted because they never let anyone tell a story these days. But this is now and that was then. And boy do I miss it.

[@yolandabendter903]

Of all the era"s,,,prior,,,none will ever,,, emulate these greats,,,They were cast from a one time mold,,,That can never be duplicated,,,What an Era,,,of greatness,,,

[@ezGonzalez]

Johnny Carson best ever talk show! Second to none! He always had the best entertainers on his show! Desi Arnez,Bob Hope,Don RICKLES! Man! The good Lord brought me into his world at the right time! Those were the days!

[@dannycalley7777]

EZ G .................and Jay Leno in second !!!!!!!!

[@Soxruleyanksdrool]

Don't forget Robert Blake. And Letterman was second behind Carson.

[@supermanbatman4992]

I was a really young boy when Carson retired... and I remember the whole question as to... JUST WHO IN THE WORLD IS GOING TO REPLACE JOHNNY CARSON??? ☺

[@threeballedtomcat9380]

This show always reminds me of the good old days ! I think this episode was in Spring of 1976 ish? In todays' world with all the changes and problems, Johnny Carson and guests serve as a great break and a change of pace. Thanks very much for the upload, always appreciated ! I was not quite 20 when this show aired originally...Wow. I messed around and got old.

[@peterchios9637]

How true well said.🎼☮️👊

[@threeballedtomcat9380]

@@peterchios9637 Thanks, my friend

[@gregamerson9172]

U n I are pretty close in age.man. I'll be 66 on 21st

[@cindygarmon307]

I was 15 and we are still so very young! First time I saw this though, love it.

[@gregamerson9172]

@@cindygarmon307 glad u feel great darling. I feel every one of my birthdays 👍👍

[@kevinbown424]

I could listen to this stuff all week long...what a crew the best of the best on this one. Love Desi Arnaz. Very Humble Guy.

[@johnroberts4806]

Too think all of these great actors are all deceased now , may they , R.I.P. ! 🎥🤧🌷🌸💐🌺🌹🕊

[@larrysmith6797]

Blake is alive.

[@johnroberts4806]

@@larrysmith6797 Oh is that the one on the other side of Rickles ?

[@alansheiman4818]

@@johnroberts4806 Blake is the one in prison for killing his wife.🤡

[@johnroberts4806]

@@alansheiman4818 Yeah I remember hearing about that , her name was bonnie Blake ! 😞

[@jubalcalif9100]

Considering this episode dates back to the 70s, I'm not at all surprised that they have all "shuffled off this mortal coil".

[@melcrose]

A rare combination of time available for the interview and the talent to let the interview happen.

[@SherryPekas]

Growing up in the 70s, Johnny Carson was the soundtrack that played while my sister and I drifted off to sleep....my parents never missed it. A special, simpler time

[@LOKI4404]

I get so emotional watching this. I watched reruns of I love Lucy still do. That’s where I first saw and fell in love with Desi Arnaz and Lucille Ball. Loved the times when he would perform and during this interview the voice rang out. When he spoke so lovingly of Lucy and gave her due credit he just showed the love that would always abide in them. Love him then, love him still, always have, always will. Babaloo!

[@LJ-ht4zs]

Before he died, his daughter called Lucy, asking if there was anything she wanted to say to Desi that he would not be awake much longer. Lucie Arnaz held the phone up to her father's ear and she heard her mother say: I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you. He replied, I love you too, honey. A day later, he went into a coma, and shortly after he died. The daughter realized they last spoke on what would have been their 46th Wedding Anniversary.

[@PorkChopJones]

RIP Desi Arnaz just hearing him talk brings back memories of watching I Love Lucy. Which has never been off the air since it's inception! I recall when it went into reruns, we watched the reruns over and over again. The point being I would always find something I missed, since back in those days if you went into another room etc. you missed a few minutes of the show, being able to record and replay television shows at home was still in the future.

[@moccalou]

And for a lot of us '90s kids, we're discovering whole episodes we haven't seen because they never aired on Nick at Nite!

[@Tony-uq4ig]

I still watch ',I love Lucy today '

[@phyllisbrown6969]

​@@Tony-uq4ig99o

[@LJ-ht4zs]

When I Love Lucy came out - it played in 78 countries - still in reruns today 2025. Almost 74 years later! In October of 2026 Let's have a 75 anniversary party for I Love Lucy.

[@wilmetteentwistle9242]

I love hearing these old stories.

[@MrWolfSnack]

and they were brand new at the time too.

[@thebreakbarrelshow]

Rickles , Bob Hope , Desi , we don't get groups of legends like that anymore. Those were great times

[@MrRondonmon]

And Robert Blake I think.

[@VickiSmith-eg9oo]

Cool that they knew each other even before I Love Lucy.

[@tonyperez3920]

Desi was sharp as a tack in his golden years. Didn't stutter didn't pause didn't lose a train of thought

[@Marckymarc71]

Funny you say golden years--he's the same age here as Chris Rock and Tom Cruise are today.

[@luvcheneywasalegend9168]

Desi was 59 here.

[@jubalcalif9100]

As I do when I take off my hat, you make a good point !

[@lynettenasseri753]

What a wonderful, humorous and interesting interview! Over all of the years this is the most informative interview of Desi then any I have seen and what a great host Johnny was. Talk show hosts these days are all about themselves and showing off. Johnny put the spotlight on his guests.

[@nitro_001newman2]

Desi was such a humble guy, and a class act. All of us can learn a lot from him.

[@alansmithee183]

These old shows and interviews are a treasure. All these men are long gone but we have these memories.

[@elizabethhestevold1340]

Revisiting, lots off play on words. Desi , brilliant .Love how generous he shares the successful with Lucy.💕🙏🇩🇰🇺🇸🌅

[@karenbrown2135]

I love I Love Lucy! I have watched it since I was little in the 60's. I am watching it still (right now) on Pluto TV. They are on there way to Hollywood. Lucy still cracks me up after all of these years.

[@JustinBond-c4p]

Me too

[@LJ-ht4zs]

@@JustinBond-c4p I have watched ILL since 1951 - when we got our first tv. Still watch it now 2023. I no longer own a tv but watch it on my computer Paramount+.

[@g_men2121]

I cant hear Desi without seein him in the early 1950's. Im 23 but LOVE I Love Lucy. Something about sitcoms from back then just have a better feel to it

[@ronniebishop2496]

Desi was a genius, he kept all the film and bought it from the network anticipating reruns.

[@jasoncinema]

Yep! He and Lucy were industry pioneers.

[@maulofamerica]

To point a fine point on it, before "I Love Lucy" aired, the network balked at spending the extra money it would cost to do the show on film. So, Desi said he and Lucy would pay for the additional production costs as long as they got to keep the film. And the rest is history.

[@timringgenberg2844]

@@maulofamerica They also owned the largest private production studio in the industry. Three separate studio complexes that all exist yet today. He also didn't think to spread the cost of production for the series over the entire year. Instead he would pay off the whole year as fast as possible which cerated all of this money before mid season. Not being part of the business really paid off for them.

[@LJ-ht4zs]

Unfortunately, he sold the rights to I Love Lucy, back to CBS - for maybe 5million so he could buy RKO studios which became Desilu.

[@ronniebishop2496]

@@LJ-ht4zs Oh ok thank you for the information.

[@bigdindallas1]

Miss all these guys 😂💕

[@scotnick59]

I think the whole world loved Desi Arnaz.🤎

[@tcfolstrom599]

What a great man Here he was had all the attention on Johnny Carson Show and he gave all the accolades to his life partner ! That’s a good man ! Gawd people were so different back then :-). So gracious. !

[@XanBos]

I’m so glad that Desi could still put in good words about Lucy. They were the couple of comedy back in the day. Even now, my daughter loves watching the I Love Lucy show. Desi was quite the entertainer. This was so good to watch with Don and Bob there as well.

[@jubalcalif9100]

Lucy and Desi never stopped loving each other. But after years of putting up with his cheating, Lucy couldn't take living with him anymore.

[@rberka555]

Great stories, love this segment. Bob Hope, Don Rickles and Robert Blake

[@ReneeBraxton]

.......And the reruns of I Love Lucy is still going strong. The show will turn 73 years old on October 15th of this year. I can't get enough of it.

[@artlover1477]

Rickles was having so much fun!

[@kt9166]

Desi was one of the smartest men in Hollywood. He knew his strengths and his weaknesses, and always played to his strengths. He learned from his Dad and his family in Cuba how to be a leader. He and Lucy were formidable as a team. Desilu! WOW! And his book is great. Read it.

[@jubalcalif9100]

So true! He had his faults, but he was quite smart & innovative. It was his idea to film "I Love Lucy" with three cameras instead of doing it live, like most shows were done at the time. He was a gifted businessman & producer.

[@LJ-ht4zs]

I enjoyed his autobiography A Book as well as Lucy's "Love, Lucy".

[@Local_yokels_monsters_myths]

Legend is not a strong enough word for Bob and Desi. I got to meet Bob Hope at his golf tourney… was a Ball spotter.

[@LJ-ht4zs]

Also, Lucy knew Bob Hope for decades - they starred in 4 movies together and in many tv specials. Lucy last appeared with Bob Hope on an Oscar special a few weeks before she died. It was she who suggested that Bob Hope use Desi Arnaz on his radio show - they worked together 2 or 3 years.

[@LJ-ht4zs]

Desi and Lucy supported each other during their marriage and after their divorce.

[@chrisgreulich]

I loved Desi and William Frawley on I Love Lucy so much. They were both such great talents.

[@LJ-ht4zs]

I called the cast of I Love Lucy - The Fabulous Four.

[@WatchitforDays]

I didn't want the video to end ❤️

[@kasondaleigh]

Wow! Great interview, - Johnny didn’t have to say a thing 😂 Desi giving credit to Lucy for everything That’s a gentleman.

[@Derexican]

Desi had only turned 59 one month before this. Poor guy looks decades older than the rest. Bob Hope was a month shy of 73 in this. Miraculous.

[@LJ-ht4zs]

Desi died at age 69; Bob Hope died at age 100.

[@LJ-ht4zs]

Bob Hope's wife, Delores, died at 102 years of age. She was quite healthy up to a few months before she died.

[@diamondjim7560]

@@LJ-ht4zs When he was very old and it was clear time was getting short, his children asked him where he wanted to be laid to rest (his gravesite) there were two places they found. His response was classic Hope, “Surprise me”.

[@MrWolfSnack]

Smoking, drinking, drugs, it will take you down. I just turned 31 and if I lost some weight and dressed in age appropriate clothes I could pass for a high school student. Never touched any drink or drugs, none of that crap. Feel good, everything on me is all fine.

[@LJ-ht4zs]

@@MrWolfSnack So good for you. Health and happiness to you for years to come!

[@yvonnemurray5537]

Wonderful segment. Gosh, I grew up with he &/Lucy. One time I had a disagreement with my Mom, and my age 7. So I told her I was running away. She helped me pack a small & off I went. I got half a block down &;she yelled…”Lucy’s on!” I came running back!

[@omniavincitamor3823]

So cute😀

[@LJ-ht4zs]

That is so endearing - nice story

[@bemore1134]

If talent was weighed in pounds, that entire set would've collapsed under the weight. The sheer ability to entertain that was in that 20 FT area, my goodness......

[@kasumiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiin]

You could spot a Don Rickles laugh from a mile away...

[@petesmitt]

Blake had a great laugh and not as fake sounding as Rickles..

[@larrysmith6797]

Blake's too.

[@wesleyjohndelaney106]

What a character. He's very likeable

[@starbellak5154]

I miss all of these...amazing...talented...funny...Stars. And not only...🌹🌺🌹🌺

[@leafyutube]

Legend overload in this video.

[@sunflowerz54]

Desi was a genius of his time!!! Thanks for Star Trek!!

[@vinyltapelover]

Desi, himself, when listening to him and those around him, was definitely not chopped liver. Actually he sounds quite humble of his success and appreciative. However, Lucille Ball, in 1962, bought out Desilu Studios from Desi Arnez and it was she who saved Star Trek by vetoing the Desilu Studios board of directors' unanimous decision to cancel the show after its second pilot episode due to its high production costs. I'm not that smart about it the is stuff, but as a Trek fan from way back, I happened to read and learn about Miss Ball's involvement with the series. As a young man out of highschool, I worked for a freight forwarding company that had the contract to deliver the Star Trek films to NBC studios in Burbank.

[@alansheiman4818]

@@vinyltapelover Very interesting story. What do you think would have happened to Star Trek had Desi Arnez not sold out his ownership in Desilu?

[@vinyltapelover]

@@alansheiman4818 A question of conjecture. Who is to know?. Maybe Star Trek came about the way it was supposed to...another "accident":). But maybe there is a better, meaningful question. What if Ricky and Lucy had remained exclusively married and together? What untold things would they have accomplished? What I appreciate about Mr Arnez is that he never failed to give proper acknowledgement to Miss Ball.

[@LJ-ht4zs]

Star Trek and Mission Impossible was green lit by Lucille Ball; Desi sold his shares to Lucy. CBS did not want those two shows (too expensive) but Lucy liked them and gave it the okay.

[@diamondjim7560]

@@LJ-ht4zs Lucille Ball was the 900 pound gorilla in the room. As obnoxious as studio suits were/are, when Ms. Ball spoke the heavens quaked. Some snot nosed CBS executive wannabe would be sent to the woodshed if they tried to counter the red head.

[@over50andfantabulous59]

Mr. Arnaz was the first to use multi cameras on the set of TV shows and others followed.

[@jubalcalif9100]

That's right !

[@miriammaldonado7848]

Bob Hope had a natural tremendous talent rest in eternal peace.

[@thadstudebaker3370]

What a great segment. I have many great memories watching Johnny and guests such as these. Thank you for sharing.

[@billyrossi4661]

What a group of guys 👦. Could you imagine going out and drinking with this group.

[@starbellak5154]

i would not wanna go home... 🙃 😊

[@t.s.t.4085]

King Anaz's family: My father is 86, and a Greek singer. I love this video because of the sweetness, and what these musicians did in those days. I'm younger, but grew up with the same kind of Dad.

[@lucythecat12]

What a great story teller. Had a grin from ear to ear ❤

[@rpblank6768]

Three of the most legendary comedians in the history of show business (Carson, Rickles, Hope) and the funniest guy on the couch is a Cuban band leader. Wit, charisma, intelligence, creative and business pioneer...Desi was always underestimate, mostly due to his ethnic background.

[@Locoandchooch]

I just looked up I love Lucy, 180 episodes in 6 years. I used to watch it in the late 70’s to early 80’s. That’s quite a bit of work. Loved it.

[@JohnMichaelGunner]

U don't still watch it??? EVERY episode is AVAILABLE on DVD & on Paramount+.

[@johngore7744]

Johnny was great. I was born in 1961 so I grew up with him. I can’t believe his suit though. Lol

[@theherd5830]

Right before Desi died he said “I Love Lucy wasn’t just a title”….. Such a lovely man.

[@TonyAguirreJazz]

Desi ruled Hollywood

[@mistermusik]

My first personal TV set was an little old portable black and white. No cable, just antennas. And the first shows I ever watched on it were I love Lucy and the Honeymooners. I can still remember it. Great, great times. Love those shows as a kid. Respect these actors now as an adult. Taking great pains to show my kids the classic shows. I wish Hollywood was like it was back then.

[@MountainMan.]

Lighting up heading to the commercial break. Those were the days.

[@Stevie-hn7mp]

Love these great people. All gone sad they were the best. Desi was def great ❤❤

[@huascar66]

Desi Arnaz. A true genius. The modern American sit-com owes its very existence to Sr. Arnaz.

[@jubalcalif9100]

As I do when I take off my hat, you make a good point!

[@spockboy]

The man (and Lucy I think) who created the 3 camera sitcom set up used to this day.

[@jubalcalif9100]

That is quite true!

[@TheNightmareMan]

Just think every one of them has passed very sad Rest In Peace to Desi, Bob, Don, Ed and Johnny.

[@chuckselvage3157]

Classic he called his book A BOOK lol.

[@cruisetheautisticboy994]

R.I.P Johnny Carson, Dezi Arnaz, and Don Rickles 😢

[@dottiscamprunamuck2830]

Desi was a great story teller. When star's talked about their lives instead of telling the rest how to live their's ❤

[@theowensshow33]

The back and forth between Desi & Bob in the beginning is hilarious

[@stephani633]

So genuine.. & def underrated

[@ronnewman8364]

Miss the GREAT ONES .. They had CLASS

[@HenPapirman]

I'm reading Desi's book right now - Amazing. Too bad he didn't come around to write Another Book because he was too ill.

[@miriammaldonado7848]

Desi Arnez was a genius rest in eternal peace.

[@lnl3237]

Just watched three "I Love Lucy" episodes today. Watched reruns in the 60's and here I am in 2025 still laughing my head off.

[@kenwalker9937]

I think Desi Arnaz way under valued his contribution to I Love Lucy show. He was an amazing talent and person in the history of entertainment.

[@charlie-obrien]

He practically invented the way that modern sitcoms were filmed (multi camera) and recorded for sound. That's why "I love Lucy" and most Desilu productions still look so good today and have been a stalwart of rerun syndication for the last 50 years.

[@LJ-ht4zs]

@@charlie-obrien now it's over more than 65 years

[@lindakelley2676]

He was brilliant. What a power team he and Lucy were. I adore them and still watch Lucy reruns for comfort.

[@bobcosmic]

Johnny Carson dressed as the Rhinestone Cowboy. There’re was one & only one Johnny Carson !

[@threeballedtomcat9380]

That is a fact !!

[@RayNDeere]

I think he was paying off a bet when Rhinestone Cowboy went to the top of the charts. He sings it at the beginning of that night's show.

[@bobcosmic]

@@RayNDeere Anything within reason is possible when it’s Carnac the Magnificent !

[@larrysmith6797]

On that show, Johnny sang Rhinestone Cowboy sitting on a donkey.

[@bobcosmic]

@@larrysmith6797 I do actually remember that broadcast, well I should do, I knew of Johnny Carson when he had one wife and black hair. Yes I’m that old ! 😂🤣😂

[@jonathanlees6594]

I completely agree with you he was a genius Desi Arnaz Studios was a financial boom and he was so smart he knew like all these reruns were going to be so popular he bought all the rights he had everything he had control of everything

[@LJ-ht4zs]

CBS bought the rights back from Desi, he wanted the 5million (or so) in order to buy RKO.

[@LJ-ht4zs]

Desi sold off his rights back to CBS to have the money to buy RKO Studios. So he did not control the reruns or profit from them after that. (probably around 1956)

[@jubalcalif9100]

He & Lucy later sold the rights to "I Love Lucy" back to CBS in the late 50s to obtain the funds to buy the old RKO studio and make it the headquarters for their Desilu production company.

[@stephenannese8228]

It's 2023....and ....(I Love Lucy) is still ON....!!

[@TomTom9290]

10:45 With all the smoke Desi was making, Johnny just couldn't resist to light one up too.

[@dmiller1000]

He smoked on every show, often continually through the show, up until some time in the 80s. Most people smoked, especially in social settings. He started hiding them under the desk in the 70s once it became less fashionable, but could never kick them. He died of emphysema.

[@jg1007]

Desi thankfully was able to come to America before Castro destroyed the country. My dad came here with nothing but the clothes on his back in 1960 after Fidel declared himself a Marxist. As my dad and Desi show, the spirit of the Cuban people is unbreakable. Desi was a class act and brought so much joy to so many. My grandfather was a guitarist that played in a trio in Cuba and was probably the same age as Desi. I would have loved to sit around with Desi and just listen to him talk about his life. He reminds me so much of my grandfather.

[@jubalcalif9100]

Desi and his family fled the Cuban revolution of 1933, not the late 1950s revolution against Batista that brought Castro to power.

[@CarlosJavierX]

If young people really want to learn about the Old World, they need to watch as many Johnny Carson clips as they can. This was Americana.

[@toddbonin6926]

I love Desi Arnaz!!! Man, he was the absolute best entertainer!!! Never be another.

[@joemammatube]

Late night show that was worth staying up late. So good!

[@terryasheim9038]

Desi is such a class act, and man i wish i had his hair